UF anesthesiology professor Paulus dies at 67

Published: Friday, December 14, 2012 at 3:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 14, 2012 at 3:46 p.m.

Dr. David Paulus, an anesthesiologist and professor of anesthesiology at the University of Florida and Shands, died unexpectedly Wednesday night, according to a UF&Shands media release Friday.

Paulus, 67, came to UF as an anesthesiology resident in 1977 after having received his medical degree at the University of Vermont and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

At Shands, Paulus served as associate chair for clinical care in the department of anesthesiology, medical director of Shands' operating room and Shands HomeCare. Paulus also served as president of the Alachua County Medical Association and chair of the Council on Medical Education and Science at the American Medical Association.

"Dave was a physician's physician — he was my physician. Many of us asked him to take care of us individually when we needed to receive anesthesia," UF College of Medicine Dean Dr. Michael Good said in the media release.

Colleagues said Paulus had a passion for making sure patients had exceptional, safe experiences, and he was known for reassuring children needing anesthesia, according to the release.

Paulus was also a professor of mechanical engineering and helped create a course for engineers and marketing professionals who design and sell operating room equipment to watch operating equipment in use and be involved in coming up with ways to improve it.

Paulus is survived by his wife, Louise, and three children, Eric, Matthew and Lizzie.

<p>Dr. David Paulus, an anesthesiologist and professor of anesthesiology at the University of Florida and Shands, died unexpectedly Wednesday night, according to a UF&Shands media release Friday.</p><p>Paulus, 67, came to UF as an anesthesiology resident in 1977 after having received his medical degree at the University of Vermont and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin.</p><p>At Shands, Paulus served as associate chair for clinical care in the department of anesthesiology, medical director of Shands' operating room and Shands HomeCare. Paulus also served as president of the Alachua County Medical Association and chair of the Council on Medical Education and Science at the American Medical Association.</p><p>"Dave was a physician's physician — he was my physician. Many of us asked him to take care of us individually when we needed to receive anesthesia," UF College of Medicine Dean Dr. Michael Good said in the media release.</p><p>Colleagues said Paulus had a passion for making sure patients had exceptional, safe experiences, and he was known for reassuring children needing anesthesia, according to the release.</p><p>Paulus was also a professor of mechanical engineering and helped create a course for engineers and marketing professionals who design and sell operating room equipment to watch operating equipment in use and be involved in coming up with ways to improve it.</p><p>Paulus is survived by his wife, Louise, and three children, Eric, Matthew and Lizzie.</p>